Soundbite 60 Reviews

Here we write a short précis of a CD or DVD giving you a concise summary in a sixty-word soundbite.

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Riccardo Muti conducts Schumann’s Four Symphonies
Robert Schumann’s four wonderful symphonies (the Fourth played in the composer’s revision) have long been staples of the gramophone, if not – sadly – the concert hall. Riccardo Muti’s second...
October 7, 2011
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Antal Dorati conducts Brahms’s Four Symphonies
Vibrant performances with plenty of thrills (no spills!) played with passion. Phrases soar. This is brawny Brahms, unsentimental, clear-sighted. Antal Dorati’s flexible conducting encourages soulful song and athletic allegros. The...
October 5, 2011
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Coppélia & Sylvia/Dorati & Fistoulari
Masterpieces both! Two scintillating scores (Paris, 1870/1876) brimful of hits, paraded here with panache and style – insouciant, exhilarating, always magnetic. Whether conducted by Dorati or Fistoulari, both had the...
October 1, 2011
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Rossini’s String Sonatas/I Musici
These endearing pieces are given a frolicsome outing by I Musici (The Musicians). Rossini’s String Sonatas enjoy long-breathed melodies and witty ditties; and some movements are akin to operatic arias....
February 10, 2011
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Schubert: The Ten Symphonies/Neville Marriner
Collected here are the seven-and-a-half symphonies we know Schubert composed plus the two-and-a-half that Brian Newbould has realised from sketches (the two halves now combine to finish the ‘Unfinished’) plus...
December 21, 2010
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Russian Overtures & Orchestral Works/Mikhail Pletnev
Helter-skelter Glinka confirms RNO’s virtuosity and unanimity; personal touches display Pletnev’s individuality. These Russian favourites and rarities find no dud – vivid, evocative music of beauty, fantasy, exhilaration and theatre....
December 19, 2010
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Tchaikovsky Symphonies 1-6/Igor Markevitch
These passionate, detailed, superbly played performances still sound great. Markevitch conducts the underestimated first three symphonies with panache and conviction, conjuring thrilling and moving versions of the others. Unnecessarily, timing-wise,...
December 18, 2010
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Debussy Préludes/Jorge Bolet
Jorge Bolet chooses sixteen from Debussy’s 24 Préludes, including the first and last, and brings each one alive, running the gamut from hypnotic to brightly edgy – through old-world flexibility...
October 19, 2010
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Chopin Piano Concertos/Jorge Bolet & Charles Dutoit
From Decca’s catalogue, these searchingly-imperious accounts of the solo pieces are leavened with tenderness and flexibility, Jorge Bolet (1914-90) bequeathing us Chopin of high romance and deeply beautiful expression; some...
July 7, 2010
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Mozart Piano Concertos/Alicia de Larrocha & Georg Solti
July 2010. K491 and K537 never issued – full explanation as to why in the booklet – both have an enjoyment and spontaneity not always found in the studio. K503...
July 3, 2010
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